Dropper, in particular eye dropper

ABSTRACT

Claimed and disclosed is a dropper, preferably an eye dropper having a detached edge area wherein a dropper insert is arranged at a dropper tip. At this detatched edge area, the dropper tip is either flushed with the frontal extremity of the dropper insert or recessed relative to the frontal extremity of the dropper insert. This dropper facilitates the dispensing and the delivery of small droplets with precise pre-determined volume from the dropper to an eye with reduced risk of injury to the eye during application of the droplets.

[0001] The invention relates to a dropper, in particular an eye dropper, having a detach edge area arranged at the tip of the dropper.

[0002] The droppers to be found on the market are only conditionally able to form small droplets. The size of the drops depends on the outer detach edge at the dropper tip. Since there is a need for small, accurate drop volumes, a small and sharp-edged detach area is required. In administration, the tip of the dropper is brought close to the eye, with no apparent safe distance between the dropper tip and the eye. In free-hand administration, the pointed contour of the dropper involves a high risk of injury.

[0003] The object of the invention is so to configure a dropper of the designated kind that very small droplets of precise volume can be dispensed without increasing the risk of injury in application.

[0004] This object is accomplished according to the invention by a dropper having a dropper insert arranged at the tip and comprising a detach edge area, the face of the detach edge area being flush with the frontal limitation of the dropper insert, or recessed relative to the frontal limitation of the dropper insert. here is the possibility of forming the detach edge area onto the dropper insert in one piece, or forming it by a steel cannula inserted centrally in the dropper insert. Advantageously, the steel cannula is less than 0.5 mm in diameter. According to the invention, the steel cannula is arranged secure in location. In refinement of the invention, the steel cannula is cemented or clamped into the dropper insert. Expediently, the dropper insert comprises a cleft tapering downward.

[0005] There is the possibility of inclosing the point of the cannula in a rubber stopper and providing a closure cap for the dropper insert. The closure cap may comprise struts pointing downward or a cylindrical wall pointing downward to bear on the dropper insert. The depth of the rubber stopper is so determined that with closure cap in service, the cannula will be pressed downward only 1 mm or less, without penetrating.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment by way of example, an inner filter is arranged in the lower portion of the dropper insert, which may be lodged in a foot enlargement of the dropper insert.

[0007] Examples of embodiments of the invention are represented in the drawing and described in more detail below. In the drawing,

[0008]FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a dropper insert with inserted steel cannula and rubber stopper with closure cap;

[0009]FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a dropper insert with detach edge area molded on in one piece; and

[0010]FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a dropper insert with filter arrangement.

[0011] In FIG. 1, the steel cannula 3 terminates in one plane with the frontal extremity of the dropper insert 1, whereas in FIG. 2 the detach edge area 2 is recessed relative to the extremity of the drop insert 1. The point of the steel cannula 3 is protected by a rubber stopper 4. The dropper insert 1 is associated with a closure cap 5. This closure cap 5 rests by struts 6 pointing downward on the dropper insert 1. In FIG. 3, the arrangement of an inner filter 7 in a foot enlargement of the dropper insert 1 may be seen.

[0012] List of Reference Numerals

[0013]1 dropper insert

[0014]2 detach edge area

[0015]3 steel cannula

[0016]4 rubber stopper

[0017]5 closure cap

[0018]6 struts

[0019]7 inner filter 

1. Dropper, in particular eye dropper, having a dropper insert (1) arranged at the dropper tip and comprising a detach edge area (2), the front of the detach edge area (2) being flush with the frontal extremity of the dropper insert (1) or recessed relative to the frontal extremity of the dropper insert (1).
 2. Dropper according to claim 1, characterized in that the detach edge area (2) is molded onto the dropper insert (1) in one piece.
 3. Dropper according to claim 1, characterized in that the detach edge area (2) is formed by a steel cannula (3) inserted centrally in the dropper insert (1):
 4. Dropper according to claim 3, characterized in that the steel cannula (3) is less than 0.5 mm in diameter.
 5. Dropper according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the steel cannula (3) is securely located.
 6. Dropper according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the steel cannula (3) is cemented into the dropper insert (1).
 7. Dropper according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the steel cannula (3) is clamped in the dropper insert (1).
 8. Dropper according to any of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the dropper insert (1) comprises a cleft tapering conically downward.
 9. Dropper according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the arrangement of a rubber stopper (4) protecting the point of the cannula (3) and a closure cap (5) associated with the dropper insert (1).
 10. Dropper according to claim 9, characterized in that the closure cap (5) rests on the dropper insert (1) by struts (6) pointing downward.
 11. Dropper according to claim 9, characterized in that the closure cap (5) comprises an inner cylindrical wall pointing downward and resting on the dropper insert (1).
 12. Dropper according to any of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the depth of the rubber stopper (4) is so adjusted that when the closure cap (5) is inserted, the cannula (3) is pressed downward by no more than one millimeter, without penetrating.
 13. Dropper according to any of claims 1 to 12, characterized by the arrangement of an inner filter (7).
 14. Dropper according to claim 13, characterized in that the inner filter (7) is lodged in the lower portion of the dropper insert (1).
 15. Dropper according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the dropper insert (1) comprises a foot enlargement to accommodate the inner filter (7). 